Fama has been diagnosed with Lumbosacral Syndrome by the Army vets, which is why she is being retired. I will get her vet record when I adopt her, so I will be able to look into how this was diagnosed and refer her to an ortho specialist for further treatment.

In the meantime, I am gathering information on the condition. I would like to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge of this condition, what diagnostic tools were used, what treatment was used, and what the outcome of treatment was.

I have this condition as well. Through injury from an IED and years of very heavy physical activity, the discs in my lumbar area have compressed to the point that the vertebrae are pressing on the nerves that run down my legs. This is the definition I have found online for Lumbosacral Syndrome in dogs.

I have experienced relief through a number of treatments, such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, controlled low impact exercise, chiropractic therapy and just being smart about how I use my lower back. The surgeons have wanted to cut me open for years, but I won't let them until it gets so bad I am having problems functioning.

I am hopeful, as all the routes of treatment that have helped me are also available to Fama. I believe my first hand knowledge will help guide me through her treatment. I am very interested in hearing from anyone who has dealt with this issue in their dog, how it manifested and what seemed to help relieve their dog's pain.

I am dedicated to helping Fama have the best life possible. Any information you have is welcome.

gsdsar

03-26-2014 07:48 PM

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My first GSD had terrible issue with her LS. Not sure if it technically was Lumbosacral syndrome. Have never actually heard that term.

I kept Hanah lean, well muscled, and when needed on NSAIDS. The best thing you can do is keep her back and abdominals well muscled. One if the easiest exersises, put her on your bed, have her stand, then using your hands, lightly shove her side to side. It will force her to balance, using her stomach muscles. You can also teach her to balance on 2 Bosu balls. Keeping the stomach tight will support her back.

I don't think there is surgery for it. If it is what I think, it's arthritis in the Lumbosacral area. So right where the back and the tail meet.

Laser therapy, acupuncture, and underwater treadmill will also help a lot!!!

Hi David: I just texted a friend in my Schutzhund club. Her dog has this and had surgery a few years ago. She will pm you tomorrow. The dog ended up getting her IPOII and III after surgery and rehab and is doing really well. Good luck. Hope her information helps you.

NancyJ

03-26-2014 10:57 PM

Well, I don't know but my dog had a disk extrusion injury (we think) and acupuncture helped him a LOT along with cold laser. I don't know whether or not it is the same thing but it was in the lumbo sacral region.

David Winners

03-27-2014 12:42 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdsar
(Post 5273722)

My first GSD had terrible issue with her LS. Not sure if it technically was Lumbosacral syndrome. Have never actually heard that term.

I kept Hanah lean, well muscled, and when needed on NSAIDS. The best thing you can do is keep her back and abdominals well muscled. One if the easiest exersises, put her on your bed, have her stand, then using your hands, lightly shove her side to side. It will force her to balance, using her stomach muscles. You can also teach her to balance on 2 Bosu balls. Keeping the stomach tight will support her back.

I don't think there is surgery for it. If it is what I think, it's arthritis in the Lumbosacral area. So right where the back and the tail meet.

Laser therapy, acupuncture, and underwater treadmill will also help a lot!!!

It can be caused by several things. LS is a general term for pressure being placed on the nerves where they exit the spine by congenital defect or injury. The effectiveness of surgery is dependent on the cause.

It makes sense that core exercises will help. That is what I do for my own back.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

back to work...

David Winners

03-27-2014 12:43 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Renofan2
(Post 5274946)

Hi David: I just texted a friend in my Schutzhund club. Her dog has this and had surgery a few years ago. She will pm you tomorrow. The dog ended up getting her IPOII and III after surgery and rehab and is doing really well. Good luck. Hope her information helps you.

Thank you very much!

Colie CVT

03-27-2014 01:29 AM

We see this a lot, since I work for board certified veterinary surgeons lol.

Generally speaking, as far as just diagnosing without any kind of advanced imaging, they tend to push down over the length of the spine, looking for signs of pain and often pick up both of the dog's back legs to extend their back at LS to see if they get some kind of pain. They also likely would be looking for CP deficits and how her withdrawl and deep pain reflexes are working.

Since the spine ends before LS in dogs, they have just a bunch of nerves going through that area and it is easier to diagnose the condition with MRI rather than CT scan with contrast. It gives a better picture of soft tissue damage. LS disease generally seems to be more chronic than acute, slow in progression unless you get an additional disk (I swear we have had like 4 or 5 shepherds lately with upper lumbar disks in addition to LS) or if they really get themselves.

Treatment can be medications and rest, acupuncture, lazer, specific exercises and stretches, hydrotherapy, e-stim or lumbosacral decompession and potential fusion depending on the way that the joint works. The dogs we have put through surgery do seem to have a good recovery rate and return to being normal dogs within a few months. It does take a decent amount of rehabing though.

That kind of goes over the general bit of it. It's technically IVDD but the location is unique compared with the other locations.

David Winners

03-27-2014 11:46 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colie CVT
(Post 5275842)

We see this a lot, since I work for board certified veterinary surgeons lol.

Generally speaking, as far as just diagnosing without any kind of advanced imaging, they tend to push down over the length of the spine, looking for signs of pain and often pick up both of the dog's back legs to extend their back at LS to see if they get some kind of pain. They also likely would be looking for CP deficits and how her withdrawl and deep pain reflexes are working.

Since the spine ends before LS in dogs, they have just a bunch of nerves going through that area and it is easier to diagnose the condition with MRI rather than CT scan with contrast. It gives a better picture of soft tissue damage. LS disease generally seems to be more chronic than acute, slow in progression unless you get an additional disk (I swear we have had like 4 or 5 shepherds lately with upper lumbar disks in addition to LS) or if they really get themselves.

Treatment can be medications and rest, acupuncture, lazer, specific exercises and stretches, hydrotherapy, e-stim or lumbosacral decompession and potential fusion depending on the way that the joint works. The dogs we have put through surgery do seem to have a good recovery rate and return to being normal dogs within a few months. It does take a decent amount of rehabing though.